David L. Davis
August 2, 1901 – Source Unknown

Remarkable Record of David L. Davis, Now 90 Years Old, Retired Railway Roadmaster

David Lincoln Davis, retired roadmaster of the Boston & Providence division of the NY, NH & H railroad, an honored and respected citizen of Hyde Park will today celebrate his 90th birthday anniversary. Mr. Davis was born Aug. 2, 1811 at Washington, N.H. he had the usual country boy’s experience in schooling and first employments.

At the age of 25 he set out for Boston, as it proved to adopt for life the vacation of a railroad man. He put in 14 continuous years of faithful efficient and valuable service for the road before he laid aside the harness. During this more than a half a century there was great progress in railway construction and the New Hampshire roadmaster was always abreast with the foremost leaders in his branch.

The men who were under his orders from first to last where almost innumerable. But though exact and strict, he was eminently just and considerate, so that men always liked to work with him.

Mr. Davis was never given to boasting, but it was with no little complacency that he remarked on one occasion: “One thing gives me the greatest satisfaction in my retirement. There never was a life lost during all my 52 years of service through the fault of any of the men under my charge.”

It may be that he was in some degree indebted to herolity for this faculty of handling large bodies of men. His father, Edmund Davis, was captain of a military company in his native state, and afterwards for a number of years postmaster at Washington, N.H. He reached the age of 76. The son, however, will have to add three more to the years he was attained already, in order to match the age of his mother, who lived to be 93.

Mr. Davis occupies a large, comfortable house which he built on Milton st., in the Readville district, 54 years ago, when the place was almost a forest. His grandson, William E. Bullard, and wife, live with him, and are a great comfort to him in the evening of life, as he lost his wife some time ago, and a son and daughter in recent years. A married daughter, Mrs. Isaac Bullard, lives near by.

At his home today, Mr. Davis will be surrounded by relatives, who will assist him in entertaining old neighbors who may call. An anniversary dinner will be served, and the relatives have several surprises in store for their honored kinsman. Open house will also be kept during the evening, when the reception will be more general and be attended by many friends.

Mr. Davis has already been the recipient of letters from relatives in Minnesota and Vermont and friends and tokens of esteem. A letter received with much appreciation was from A. A. Folsom, a former superintendent of the old Boston & Providence railroad. During Mr. Davis’ years of employment he served under two other superintendents – William Raymond Lee and W. H. Na(?)rets, by all of whom and other officials of the railroad company he was held in high esteem. When he had rounded off a half century in the employ of the railroad the occasion was recognized by the officials by calling on Mr. Davis at his home and presenting him a check for $500 and a handsome mantel clock.

Mr. Davis is one of eight children. His parents were Edmond and (?) Davis.

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p.322 and 323, History of Charlestown, NH - Fort 4 by Rev. Henry H. Saunderson pub 1876, Claremont, NH - submitted to Genealogy Trails by Janice Farnsworth - Farns10th@aol.com

Moses and Jemima Davis. Their children:
1. Josiah Davis b. May 9, 1780

p.323
Thomas Davis b. at Ireland County, Wicklow m. Apr 1, 1868 Mary Hackett b. in the County of
Kilkenny, Ireland Jan 1836. Their children:
l. Thomas Davis b. 1869.
2. Patrick Davis b.187l
3. Elizabeth Davis b. 1873.

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